Bradford's magnificent Cartwright Hall will re-open to the public on Saturday 5 June following a £200,000 revamp.

The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bradford, Coun Peter Hill and his wife, Gillian, will attend the official opening the previous evening (June 4).

The museum, based in award winning Lister Park, was closed in August last year for building and plasterworks to take place and for the redecoration of the ground floor - although pre-booked weddings have still taken place.

Coun, the Rev Paul Flowers, Bradford Council's Executive Member for Culture, Tourism and Sport, said: "It's wonderful to see such a marvellous building restored, refreshed and re-opened to the public.

"Visitors will be able to see how the gallery has retained its distinctive period atmosphere and rich displays from the permanent collections."

The Sculpture Court will display some of Bradford's most treasured marble busts and bronze sculptures as would have been seen in the early 1900s, plus a cross section of South Asian textiles from the social history and international arts collections.

One of the country's leading young ceramic artists, Halima Cassell, has her first solo exhibition of carved bowls, tiles and sculptures in the museum including large works scattered around the gardens in front of Cartwright Hall.

Contemporary artist Anne Desmet is exhibiting her methods of printing and mixed media collages depicting architecture and the building of cities.

Finally 'Precious Cargo' is part of Stories of the World, one of the major projects at the heart of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. This exhibition has been put together by Bradford Young Ambassadors, who have been exploring techniques and design in textile collections, which has inspired their own art work. 

The following statement was issued today by Cllr Anne Hawkesworth, Leader of the Bradford Council Conservative Group:

“I am delighted that the work is now complete and this wonderful building is now available for local residents and tourists to enjoy once again.

“It was a great frustration for me to have to agree to its temporary closure last year when I was the Executive Member for Culture.

“But an excellent job has been done in bringing the building back to its very best, just as the summer season is getting underway.

”Congratulations to everyone involved.”